The Construction, Preliminary Validation, and Correlates of a Dream-Specific Scale for Mystical Experience

Bibliographic Data

ID2287742
AuthorsRobert E Sears (0000-0001-9204-5174, School of Intercultural Studies Fuller Theological Seminary, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume54
Issue1
Pages134-155
Publication date2015-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-8294 • E-ISSN: 1468-5906
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jssr.12169
OpenAlexW1562840068
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited42

This study aimed to create and test a dream-specific version of Hood's Mysticism (M) Scale for the purpose of studying dreaming mystical experience. Factor analysis of the Spiritual Dreams Scale (SDS), based on data collected from 289 adults affiliated with an American evangelical Christian school, clearly resulted in three factors in accordance with prior studies of the M Scale. However, the factor composition of the SDS did not identically resemble the findings of previous studies of the M Scale. Instead, the three-factor solution suggested a Jamesian interpretation according to which the factors were labeled mystical psychology (passivity), perceived alternate reality (ineffability), and noesis. Scores on the SDS shared significant positive correlations with scores for absorption, dream beliefs, dream recall, and kataphatic prayer. A scale for apophatic prayer failed to share a significant correlation with the SDS

Cartography · Dream · Mysticism · Prayer · Psychotherapist · Scale (ratio) · Theology · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology · Theological Perspectives and Practices

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